Who is getting a flu shot

We've got H1N1 flu vaccine starting to arrive in my state this week and next. I'm curious as to how many people are getting a flu shot this year. I think I'll pass, just to see if my immune system is tuned and ready like I think it is.

Anyone else going to get the shot?

Tags: flu, h1n1, immune, shot

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Permalink Reply by Janeen on October 9, 2009 at 7:43pm: I already got the regular flu shot. I'm not sure I can get the H1N1. Wasn't there a restriction that pregnant women, babies and the elderly got it first? If not, then I'll get it. My youngest has asthma and a severe egg allergy and is high risk. He can't get it due to the egg allergy so the rest of us in the house get the shots to try and shield him the best we can. I'm not concerned for me. It's my son that concerns me.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ImmuneDude on October 14, 2009 at 4:18pm: Janeen: The only restriction I had heard was that first responders in the health care field would get it first. Wow, that egg allergy situation is something I'd not heard or thought of. Seems weird that eggs is the only medium they can produce the vaccine from.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ellen S on October 9, 2009 at 10:45pm: In the past we have gotten flu shots if my family's autoimmune issues aren't flaring badly. This year I'm not sure what we'll do to be honest. With autoimmunity a real issue and much more of a battle I really want to know what I'm getting. I am not so worried about thimerosol preservatives, but the adjuvant controversies have got me concerned. I do NOT need a more tweaked out immune system hurting me further. Wish I was better informed about them to tell the truth.

What have you heard in the communities you're involved with?
What is your opinion?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ImmuneDude on October 14, 2009 at 4:15pm: Ellen: I've read a lot of good stuff and bogus stuff. Anthony Fauci, infectious disease director at the NIH had a great interview yesterday on NPR discussing the whole H1N1 situation and the flu shot program. Very impressed with him. And gave strong assurances that the vaccine is safe and will be beneficial. It's been tested on hundred of thousands of people outside the U.S. and no safety concerns have emerged.

This NY Times piece ran a couple of days ago. Very good as well. Here it is: http://bit.ly/438NHR; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by kerri on October 10, 2009 at 1:02am: I definitely will be getting both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot when it becomes available. As a person with asthma, and a volunteer in a nursing home, it's pretty important that I get one.
Not to mention, I'm a university student, and caught a cold within the first three days of classes. There are a ton of germs floating around campus . . . Yuck.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ImmuneDude on October 14, 2009 at 4:12pm: Yes, you got a lot of good rationale behind your decision. Good going.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by kerri on October 17, 2009 at 10:15pm: Thanks ImmuneDude :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by dk on October 10, 2009 at 10:59pm: Hubby and I got the regular shot three weeks ago. I have mild asthma and he had severe bronchitis this summer, still has a cough. Hubby is extremely healthy, but had five surgeries earlier this year after February's horrific bicycling accident. Doctor says all the anesthesia made his broncial tubes susceptible, so i'm not messing around with flu this year. H1N1 is not yet here and, frankly, I'm a bit leary of it. There's a big anti-vaccine movement here - and this is a big medical town! Scarier still, the movement is lead by healthcare workers! Don't know what to think about that...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ImmuneDude on October 14, 2009 at 4:10pm: DK: Thanks for your info.

Found this story in the NY Times OP-ED page. I think it makes many good points myths and facts about flu shot. Hope it helps. http://bit.ly/438NHR; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by JKatherine on October 15, 2009 at 5:49pm: I never get the regular flu shot and won't be getting the H1N1 shot either. It's a choice I make for myself and for my children. The regular flu shot isn't guaranteed to protect from the flu and the H1N1 shot hasn't been used long enough. It kind of scares me, really.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by brooke on October 31, 2009 at 1:53am: I never had a flu shot either until this year. I decided on getting the H1N1 vaccine (thru the nose) because both my son and I got the swine flu last year. I work at a school and it was going around.

My doctor explained something interesting to me. He said the H1N1 vaccine is new but so is the regular flu virus. It's new in the sense that they have to keep creating a different type of flu vaccine every year in order for it to be effective.

So were all guinea pigs either way!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by dindin on October 19, 2009 at 12:34pm: Sign me up, Dude. Give me any and all shots that are available. I've already had the seaonal flu (outrageously early this year!), and I have no desire to get another strain and/or H1N1.

Not to be rude, but I honestly don't understand those who don't get shots. Can you explain your rationale a bit more?; ▶ Reply to This